Qatar has crossed four million visitors, exceeding
annual visitor numbers of the past five years. Announced by Qatar Tourism, the
latest figures highlight the positive momentum of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM
and the country’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to promote its tourism sector.

Earlier this year, Qatar announced the seamless
operation of the Hayya platform to unify and simplify visa processes for
travellers who require a visa to enter Qatar. These efforts complement Qatar’s
already open travel policies which see 95 countries granted visa on arrival. In
addition, Qatar’s year-long calendar of events and captivating marketing
campaigns have supported the increased tourism figures.

His Excellency, Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman
of Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar continues to demonstrate its appeal as a global
tourism destination with its expanded tourism infrastructure, safety, and
authentic Arabian hospitality. Qatar’s diverse tourism offering, with its 500km
of pristine coastline, world-class museums, cultural and contemporary destinations,
combine to make for a unique and compelling holiday that can be tailored to
suit travellers from the region and internationally. New developments in
Qatar’s tourism sector are ongoing, creating even further opportunities for
growth.”  

Since the beginning of 2023, leading
Qatar’s tourism figures are visitors from Saudi Arabia (25.3% of total
international arrivals), followed by India (10.4%), Germany (4.1%), UK (3.9%)
and Kuwait (3.5%). To date, 85%
of visitors chose to arrive by air, followed by land (14%), and sea (1%). 

In October of last year, Qatar inaugurated the first international debut of the
renowned Geneva international Motor Show, which saw 1,000 journalists and
180,000 visitors over 10 days. It also launched the 2023/24 cruise season which welcomed
81 cruises and 350,000 passengers, surpassing the 2022/23 cruise season which
saw 54 cruises and a total of 253,191 visitors, making it the country’s biggest
cruise season yet.

Looking ahead in 2024, Qatar is set to host more
than 80 unique events from sports championships, cultural events, world class exhibitions,
shopping festivals and international summits.  Some of the biggest 2024 events are the AFC
Asian Cup, Shop Qatar, Doha Jewellery and Exhibition, (DJWE), Katara International Arabian Horse
Festival, Annual Qatar Economic Forum, Formula 1 Grand Prix 2024, Autonomous
e-mobility Forum and the world’s biggest technology conference, Web Summit.